Free Private School For Girls Opens In Southend

On Wednesday, more than a dozen girls got their first glimpse of a future that will hopefully help them rise above the statistics. They young girls are the first students to attend the Charlotte Community School for Girls. The one-classroom school celebrated its ribbon cutting on Wednesday at its South Tryon Street location in Southend.

City council members David Howard and Warren Turner attended as well as the girls, their parents and the mentors and teachers. The school is a tuition-free private school for fifth to eighth grade girls from low-income families.

The school, founded by, Cathy Sheafor, has a detailed website which explains its program. The goal is to provide these young students with a preparatory education with an emphasis on experiential learning. Organizers are in need of financial donations as well as a few more mentors to work with the students. Volunteers recruited thus far include myself, Lashawnda Becoats of QCityMetro, Crystal Dempsey of From the Hip Communications, Janine Davis of Girl Talk as well as several Charlotte Observer writers and others. For more information visit the website.